The drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 112.7 miles and takes about 2h 10m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is mixed drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 41.3 miles on Black Canyon Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.45 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
56.4 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 10m. Total distance: 112.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (43%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 112.7 miles and takes about 2h 10m, using a mix of highways and local roads.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Black Canyon Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 41.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near South Roosevelt Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 112.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (South Roosevelt Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (West Broadway Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|South Roosevelt Street
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.8 mi into trip|~2m in|West Broadway Road
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
Navigation decision point
5
2.8 mi into trip|~6m in|I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
5.9 mi into trip|~9m in|US 60 / Maricopa Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60 / Maricopa Freeway toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: Flagstaff
5
98.5 mi into trip|~1h 48m in
Take the exit toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Pay...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tempe Junction, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ, road signs point toward Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A, Payson and Jerome.
Finnie Flat
98.5 mi in|~1h 48m
260 To 89A
98.5 mi in|~1h 48m
Payson
98.5 mi in|~1h 48m
Jerome
98.5 mi in|~1h 48m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Black Canyon Freeway
41.3 mi
45m
Arizona Veterans Highway
38.2 mi
38m
Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
12.3 mi
18m
Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
8.9 mi
9m
Maricopa Freeway
7.3 mi
8m
West Broadway Road
1.5 mi
2m
South Main Street
1.4 mi
2m
South Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Black Canyon Freeway
— 41.3 mi, about 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Tempe Junction, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ.
1
Start on West 13th Street
0.3 mi·55 sec·West 13th Street
2
Turn left onto South Roosevelt Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Roosevelt Street
3
Turn right onto West Broadway Road
1.3 mi·2 min·West Broadway Road
4
Continue on West Broadway Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·West Broadway Road
5
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
6
Merge onto I 10; US 60
3.1 mi·3 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 60
4.2 mi·4 min·Maricopa Freeway
Toward I-17 North, US-60 West: FlagstaffUse the slight right lane.
8
Continue on I 17; US 60
41 mi·45 min·Black Canyon Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 17
8.9 mi·9 min·Phoenix–Cordes Junction Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 17
13 mi·13 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 17
25 mi·24 min·Arizona Veterans Highway
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward Finnie Flat, 260 to 89a, Cottonwood, Payson, Jerome
13
Turn left onto AZ 260
421 ft·11 sec·Finnie Flat Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on AZ 260
0.5 mi·58 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
Use the straight lane.
15
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
16
Continue on AZ 260
0.4 mi·41 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
17
Keep slight right at fork onto AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
18
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
19
Continue on AZ 260
1.1 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
20
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
171 ft·2 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
21
Continue on AZ 260
1.0 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
22
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
145 ft·6 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
23
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
24
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
169 ft·7 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
25
Continue on AZ 260
2.1 mi·2 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
26
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
144 ft·6 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
27
Continue on AZ 260
0.8 mi·1 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
28
Enter roundabout onto AZ 260
188 ft·8 sec·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
29
Continue on AZ 260
4.7 mi·7 min·Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway
30
Continue on AZ 260
420 ft·12 sec·South Main Street
31
Continue on AZ 89A
1.4 mi·2 min·South Main Street
32
Arrive at destination
US 89A Historic
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 56.4 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 41.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 25 miles or 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 56.4 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cottonwood, AZ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Tempe Junction, AZ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Tempe Junction, AZ
This is one driving day of about 112.7 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 25 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Black Canyon Freeway for about 41.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 56.4 mi from Tempe Junction, AZ
· 1h 5m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Tuzigoot National Monument
National Monument
Water flows under and through this landscape, feeding the growth of people and towns. The Verde Valley is watered by snowmelt, summer monsoons, and springs that well up from the ancient sedimentary ro...
Established December 8, 1906, Montezuma Castle is the third National Monument dedicated to preserving Native American culture. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
$10
near mile 101.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.45 one way
$44.90 round trip
$5.06/gal25.4 MPG avg39 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$5.36
$23.76
$47.52
premium
$5.59
$24.81
$49.61
diesel
$5.61
$24.88
$49.77
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 39.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
33.8
0
$11.83
$5.41
Efficient EV
28.2
0
$9.86
$4.51
EV Truck/SUV
45.1
0
$15.78
$7.21
Gas CO2
39 kg
EV CO2
13 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Tempe Junction, AZ
Late night
in Tempe Junction on Saturday
Local time
4:40 AM
MST
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cottonwood, AZ
Late night
in Cottonwood on Saturday
Local time
4:40 AM
MST
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 10m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Tempe Junction, AZ to Cottonwood, AZ covers 112.7 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Black Canyon Freeway, Arizona Veterans Highway, Camp Verde-Bridgeport Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 56.4 miles from Tempe Junction, AZ. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.45 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 112.7 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (South Roosevelt Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.8 miles (West Broadway Road): Navigation decision point; at 2.8 miles (I 10; US 60 / Maricopa Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Tempe Junction, AZ and Cottonwood, AZ, road signs point toward Finnie Flat, 260 To 89A, Payson and Jerome.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
